About VAT Group

At VAT, we change the world with vacuum solutions. As the world's leading supplier of high-performance vacuum valves, we have been driving innovation for more than 60 years. With over 3,200 employees worldwide, we operate from our headquarters in Haag, Switzerland, with manufacturing sites in Switzerland, Malaysia and Romania, as well as sales and service hubs around the world. We guided by our passions integrity, teamwork, customer centricity, and innovation - always working together as #oneVAT.

Joining us means becoming part of a passionate, international team where your voice is heard, your ideas matter, and your career growth is supported.

Purpose of the role

Act as the single point of contact for a major global customer regarding all quality-related topics and requirements. Lead the Global/Key Account Product Quality Engineers and work closely with Product Management, Key Account teams, and global stakeholders to drive customer satisfaction, quality performance, and a zero-defect culture.

Responsibilities

• Professionally lead and coordinate the Global Account / Key Account Product Quality Engineers.
• Act as the primary customer interface for all quality-related topics, requirements, and escalations.
• Ensure product quality in the market and support the fulfillment of customer-specific quality expectations.
• Manage quality escalations and customer dissatisfaction, coordinating appropriate corrective actions.
• Define, manage, and track annual customer-specific quality objectives and initiatives.
• Own the Quality section of the customer scorecard, including definition of initiatives, monitoring, preparation of materials, and customer communication.
• Monitor customer and VAT quality KPIs and define and track corrective measures where required.
• Lead the standardization and optimization of product quality and customer-specific processes.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with customers and cross-functional stakeholders globally.
• Lead or support customer visits and audits, taking responsibility for all quality-related topics.
• Collaborate closely with Product Management, Key Account teams, Engineering, and other global functions.
• Drive continuous improvement and contribute to a zero-defect quality culture.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in quality management combined with direct customer interaction.
• Experience with quality processes for high-tech components within a global and highly consolidated market environment.
• Experience in the semiconductor industry, including relevant customer requirements and processes such as Copy Exact.
• Strong knowledge of quality management methodologies and tools, including 8D, Ishikawa, 5 Why, Fishbone Diagram, FMEA, and SPC.
• Advanced experience in audit management, complaint management, project management, product development, and change management.
• Knowledge of ISO and IATF standards and requirements.
• Auditor qualification or relevant auditing experience.
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent education as a Quality Expert/Manager or similar.
• Technical education or degree in Mechanical and/or Electrical Engineering is considered an advantage.
• Strong escalation, conflict management, moderation, presentation, and communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively within international teams and a global matrix organization.
• Systematic, methodical, and solution-oriented approach with the ability to hold stakeholders accountable when required.
• Very good knowledge of VAT products, their functionality, and areas of application.
• Fluent in English and German.

YOUR COMPETENCIES

• Five years + of experience in quality management and direct customer contact
• Profound experience of the quality process (mechanism) of high-tech components in a highly consolidated market environment on a global scale
• Experience in the Semiconductor Industry and the relevant processes as well as customer requirements (e.g., Copy Exact)
• Very good knowledge of the VAT products, function and area of application
• Teamwork in international teams and ability to work in a matrix organization
• Advanced knowledge in audit management, project management, complaint management, quality tools, product development and change management
• Background about ISO and IATF norms and standards
• Bachelor degree or education as Quality Expert / Manager (or similar)
• Bachelor degree or Apprenticeship in electrical or/and mechanical engineering/profession advantageous
• Good listening, communication, presentation and moderation skills
• Qualification / Education as Auditor
• Basic knowledge of ISO and IATF requirements
• Good skills in Escalation and Conflict Management
• In-depth knowledge of quality tools such as 8D, Ishikawa, 3-legged 5 why, Fishbone diagram, FMEA, SPC, etc.
• Ability to hold others accountable as required
• Systematic, methodical and solution-oriented approach to work
• Fluent English and German

You can expect a dynamic and successful company where innovation, courage, fairness, openness and transparency are encouraged and your ideas are welcome. We offer flexible options for hybrid working. Your development according to your strengths and aspirations in your career is of great importance to us.